first solo road trip and scared as hell....

What time will it be televised? I'd like to see it.Interestingly, I have written a column about solo roadtripping that will appear on MSNBC this Friday. Mark

Hey birdybird, sorry that your family is giving you grief about this. Many women travel solo all the time without a problem. I've done several trips myself over the years. Hope this advice helps:

* Use the same "personal safety radar" that you use anyway. If someplace doesn't "feel right", leave. If a person/people give you the heebie-jeebies, leave. Don't walk down dark alleys. In other words, most places in America are someone's neighborhood. People who live there do the same things you do in your own hometown. They go shopping, go for walks, etc. If they can, you can. Just use good common-sense and you should be fine.

* Spend some time before you leave planning your route. Ask us for advice on what to see and do. And then give your family a copy of your route. If they know where you're going, they might feel more comfortable and lay-off a bit.

* If you want, you could make motel reservations ahead of time. As a first-timer, that might make you feel more secure. BUT it's really not necessary. Unless you're stopping at a touristy-place that might be crowded, motels are easy to find along the road. And, sometimes, you might not want to drive as far as your motel that day. Or you might want to drive farther. So, if you make reservations, write down the phone number and the cancellation policy so you can cancel without a penalty if you don't stay there.

* Yes, having a cellphone is smart. You might have some areas with sporadic coverage but, for the most part, your cellphone will work most anywhere. You and your family might feel better if you establish a check-in time each day. Since my plan is free roaming nationwide, and since I don't get charged minutes for talking to my family, I might call home 2-3 times a day just to share something fun that I just saw or to let them know I'm changing my plans. Anyway, if you keep in touch with them so they know where you're at and where you're going next, this should appease them (I hope).

* I would suggest having AAA or some other roadside assistance program. AAA has been terrific a couple of times when I've had car trouble. The free guidebooks and maps can more than pay for your membership. And you will get discounts for some hotels, restaurants, and entrance fees.

* I've actually never done this but it is probably good advice that I should follow myself. When you stop to do some exploring, leave a note in your car about where you're going and when you plan to be back, and with contact information for you and your family. Don't leave this where people can read it. You don't want potential thieves to know you're gonna be gone until 3pm, for example! But if the rare, VERY rare "worst-case scenario" happens to you, then at least people will know where to start looking for you and how to contact your family. Don't sweat this or be paranoid.

It is really safe. I also think that your family are just chicken to do this themselves and probably jealous of you for being willing to do this. Don't let them get to you. When people tell me "you can't do that...", my tendency is to do it, and do it good, and show them they're wrong.

I do hope you'll go on this adventure. I think you have a lot to gain from it. Not only will you gain the wonderful experience of a good road-trip, but I think you'll get a bit of confidence, too.

So DO IT!!! Come here for more support and planning assistance, and come back to report about your trip when you've returned home.

Thank you everyone for replying to my post. I can't tell you how nice it feels to have encouraging words, instead of looks of incredulity and messages pertaining to how there is NO way I'll be able to do this alone.....That really sucks to hear, especially from family- though its no big surprise coming from them, as I mentioned in my initial post.
I think that safety really is my number one concern....and yes, I believe I have seen one too many movie where some mutant captures a poor unsuspecting traveler on some lonely country road...LOL! I have this sense that, as soon as I get out on the road, all the maniacs will automatically know I"m alone and traveling and track me down!!! How ridiculous!!!! It really helps to hear that, for the most part, folks here have experienced solo trips safely and without incident....

The advice to just trust my normal instincts regarding safety makes much sense...I mean, I have to keep reminding myself that I am traveling in the United States and that, basically, "folks are folks", as my friend would say, wherever you are. And right, wherever I am, it's somebodys home town and i need to remember that!!

I so much appreciate the support and will likely begin to post my initial, rough draft itinerary soon. I do want to see some of the sites- especially some of the sites in Wyoming, S. Dakota- I really need to start doing my research!!! So much planning to do!!

Thanks again one and all for your support. Keep sending it along because I'm going to need all I can get or I"ll chicken out and I really want to do this!!!
Birdybird

I really think there are few things more liberating than the feeling you get when you're traveling down the highway with only yourself for company. There are times when I even prefer it to traveling with somebody else.

Don't forget to use the search feature (in the green bar above) to find out more information on the places you want to visit.

South Dakota: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills, Wounded Knee, Badlands, Wall Drug (just watch for the "free water" signs!), Deadwood

Wyoming: Devil's Tower, Cody, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Cheyenne, Laramie

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list but it's some of the things you might enjoy. What part of Idaho are you ending in?

Hi Judy
I'll be ending up in Boise, Idaho. My sister and her husband have lived out there for several years now and they love it. I hear its beautiful.
I grew up part of my childhood in California, so I've roadtripped with my family up and down the west coast. We also moved from cali to texas, texas back to cali, cali to michigan, michigan back to cali and then- the final move- cali to NC- and we always drove those cross country treks, so I've definitely experienced long road trips.....just never alone and definitely not in the last 20 years. So, I"ve seen alot of the mid and southwest ( as a young teen, but still...) I am dying to see the northwest route.
I'm still scared but getting more and more excited as I post here, and talk to supportive friends. AS a matter of fact, I may even end up doing this trip with a very good friend, who heard about my plans and expressed some interest in joining me. And perhaps this may end up being OK too....I mean, while the "solo" part appeals to me on many levels, I"d also love to see some of the sites with somebody else there to experience it with me..
I don't know....but I am DETERMINED to make this trip one way or the other!!
Thanks for the tips on sites to see- I am clueless about that part of the country, but I know there is sooo much to see
thanks again!
birdy

Boise is kind of a strange city to approach, especially from the east where you'll be coming from. Miles of nothing and then, there it is, sitting out there in the middle of nowhere. Boise is a nice, little city. If you like music and people-watching, you might have your sister take you to the downtown area. There's a square where music plays a few nights a week and there are restaurants on the upper-floors (mostly 2nd and 3rd stories) with balconies where you can enjoy food/drink and the music. But get there early for a good seat!

The area north of Boise is astounding. The drive up through Riggins is amazing. If you're not too tired of driving just getting there, you might want to check it out.

There's nothing wrong with going with a good travel-partner. If that works out, it could be fun. But, yeah, go alone if it doesn't. I think you will really enjoy yourself.

I suggest you pour over some paper maps to get a lay-of-the-land and can visualize better the places you want to see. There are more things worth seeing than I listed. Once you get an idea of what you want to explore on the way there, and the potential route you're planning on taking, come on back and we'll try to help you make this adventure as good as it can be.

Take care!

So, I"ve come up with my initial, very rough draft itinerary. I'm still trying to find a partner, since I do think it would fun with someone to "share the sights" with...But, I still very much want to make this trip ( NC to Idaho) in July one way or the other...Again, never having driven alone for more than 3 hours before, I"m not sure whether I am being completely and utterly naive about driving 2500 miles!!!! Actually, I"m sure I am being a biti naive but.....as a magnet in my fridge quotes " Life is short and the world is wide"!!!!!
So, Here is my rough draft route:

Raleigh/Durham NC to Nasheville
Nasheville to St Louis
St Louis to Kansas City
Kansas City to .......??
?? to Denver
Denver to....??
?? to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City to Boise, Idaho

Again, given that I've never traveled all that far alone ( although I have driven many times with my husband from Raliegh, NC to Ocala Florida- about 9.5 hours) I'm not sure whether this is completely ridiculous or not. I actually think I might be able to do Denver to Boise in one day, but I"m not sure, that may be really overestimating my fatigue factor by that point, especially if I'm alone.
Any suggestion would be great- honest feedback needed, since I am a complete newbie. I am planning on giving myself 7-8 days to do the drive although I could extend it to 9 if need be, since I'm going only one way and then flying back from boise.
Also, any suggestions on rental car companies?? I do have AAA
thanks so much!!
Birdy

If thinking of this trip as one huge solo RoadTrip is giving you cause for concern. think of it as several shorter trips instead. And treat it as such. For example, on your first day, Raleigh to Nashville is a significant drive at 540 miles. But Raleigh to Great Smoky Mountains is only a little over 300. So treat this as a drive to the National Park. When you get there, reward yourself. Get out of the car, enjoy the scenery. take a hike in the fresh air. Stop Driving. After you've had an hour or so to recharge body and soul, make another short drive of around 230 miles to Nashville. Do the same each day. Find some place, even if it's only a small town, to take a real mental break from the driving aspect of the trip and enjoy the relaxation, sight-seeing, learning, and especially the enjoyment aspects. Less work, More fun.

Your choices for where to stay between Kansas City and Denver are a little limited, but towns that are approximately half way between them and have choices of places to stay for the night include Salina, Russell, Hays, and WaKeeny, with the edge going to Hays. Between Denver and Salt Lake City, your choice of overnight stop will largely depend on which route you take. If you take the Interstate route of I-25 north to Cheyenne and then I-80 west, Rawlins, WY is your only choice. If you go by the more direct, but largely non-Interstate route of US-40, Craig, CO and Vernal, UT are your only choices, but neither is really close to the halfway point. To be honest, Denver to Salt Lake City is not that much farther than Raleigh to Nashville, and you could probably make this segment in one day if you pace yourself and take a few 'mental health breaks' from driving during the day.

I've rented from just about all the major and mid-major rental car companies, and haven't found that much difference between them. So you can make your decision strictly on price and feel comfortable that it will be a solid transaction. Just be sure to read all the fine print regarding geographic restrictions, taxes, and any add-on charges so that you're comparing apples with apples and you'll be fine

AZBuck

I like that, AZBuck! I agree with some of what AZBuck wrote. That first paragraph is great advise. And I'm sure he's accurate on the car rentals.

But I disagree with him about the Denver-Boise leg. Do NOT drive Denver to Boise in one day. It's about 835 miles. Way too far for a novice road-tripper at the end of a roadtrip when you're probably a bit fatigued.

Raleigh to Nashville is about 535. Much more reasonable. Especially since it's the beginning of your trip when you're still fresh.

I also disagree with him on where to stay. If you take the I-25, then I-80, you can stay in Evanston, WY, which is just over the 1/2 way mark between Denver and Boise at 455 miles from Denver. This is a relatively easy day's drive and will only leave you about 380 miles to Boise the next day. Hotels in Evanston include the following chains: Motel 6, Howard Johnson, Holiday Inn Express, Economy Inn, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Best Western, and America's Best Value Inn. I think this sounds like an ideal stopping point.

I see no advantage to taking the alternate route through Vernal. It's only 5 miles shorter and, since you're not on the interstates, your driving speed will be a tad slower. Also, since you're a first-time road-tripper, I just think the peace-of-mind of being on the interstates where you're going to have services more often along your way would be worth doing the I-25/I-80 route.

Whenever you stay in/near a city, stay on the far side (that is the western side closest to Denver). The last thing anyone wants to deal with in the morning when trying to get on the road is heavy commuter traffic. So stay on the far side so that you'll be leaving the city when everybody else is trying to get in to go to work. It starts your day off much better.

Get all the guidebooks from AAA that you can that cover your route. Maps, too. You should be able to find hotels most anywhere along your route with them.

Please don't talk yourself out of doing this. You won't regret it. I have a feeling that you'll discover more than just the sights of America on this trip.

wow! thanks for all the information!
I do think that AZ was referring to the drive from Denver to Salt Lake, not Denver to Boise, though. Yeah...Denver to Boise in one day would be just tad bit too much for my travel fatigued fanny, me thinks... ; ) But, I could do Denver to Salt Lake, now that I think about it, since it really isn't much longer than Raliegh to Nashville.
I also really really like the idea of thinking about it as a series of short trips instead of looking at the whole picture. I think that is what tends to scare me the most- thinking about 8 days of driving, possibly by myself ....but thinking about it as a series of short trips seems much more do-able.I am very familiar with the NC mountains and it would be a good idea to stop in the Asheville area on my first day, get some lunch, see some sights, then take the "short" 270 mile trip to Nasheville! I like that kind of thinking...
I"ve got several possibilities for travel partners at this point, but either way, I am determined to do this....I really appreciate all the moral support from you guys. I've got several female friends, too, who have been wonderfully supportive and have given me the courage to undertake this.
I do believe that I can discover much on this trip- both about the external terrain I'll be traveling.....but also the internal terrain that I'll be exploring.
thanks! I'll continue to post as I get clearer about my itinerary.
Birdy